Health care coverage ballot proposed

FLINT -- There are no firm ideas for paying for it, or concrete ways to run it, but a coalition says the time has come for guaranteeing health care coverage for Michigan residents.

The Health Care Security Campaign is expected to announce during a Flint news conference Tuesday a ballot proposal for a "health care security plan."

Genesee County residents have stepped up to provide taxpayer-supported coverage for low-income adults. It's the kind of safety net hoped for across the state.

"What intrigued me and pleased me is we're taking a proactive approach to health care," said Rep. Brenda Clark, D-Flint, who'll attend one of the planned multi-city conferences also held in Detroit, Bay City, Kalamazoo and Grand Rapids.

The measure rolled out today is intended to require state leaders to create a plan to provide comprehensive health care for Michigan residents.

What the campaign wants is coverage that continues even if people lose their jobs, get ill or divorce, and contains health care costs for businesses. About 1.1 million people in Michigan lack health insurance.

To get the proposal on the Nov. 4 ballot, the campaign must collect 380,000 signatures by July 1.

"This campaign in necessary, as politicians in both Lansing and Washington have failed for years to address the health care crisis," said John Freeman, chairman of the Healthcare for Michigan ballot committee.

"Michigan must take the initiative because too many families and businesses are suffering and we cannot wait any longer for Washington to act," he said.
Genesee County has the largest of the state's county-run health plans and is the only one with taxpayer support.

A reported 28,000 adults are members, which represents nearly half of the 55,000 Genesee County residents without insurance.

Over the years GHP has expanded coverage to include office visits, generic prescriptions, some same-day surgeries and physical therapy. Members make no more than about $1,500 a month, or $18,000 a year.

But what the campaign is pushing is coverage that is more than a Band-Aid, Clack said, and one that's effective during catastrophic events such as cancer or a heart attack.

The ballot proposal coalition is made up of a dozen organizations such as labor, faith groups, medical and civil rights organizations and health care groups.

The coalition says spiraling health costs threaten the survival of businesses and the nearly $60 billion already spent on health care in Michigan could be spent more wisely, such as focusing on preventive care that keeps people well.

So far, it has not offered a funding source other than public and private solutions.

"The first move is to get it on the board and we'll work out the details," Clack said.